Bee podmor: what it is and how it is used

Honey is the primary, but far from the only, product of beekeeping. Equally valuable and popular are beeswax, pollen, bee bread (perga), royal jelly, as well as bee venom, cappings (zabrus), drone brood homogenate, and bee podmor — a natural source of chitin and other unique biologically active compounds.

What is bee podmor?

Bee podmor refers to the bodies of bees that die naturally during the wintering period. Beekeepers collect them while inspecting hives in December, January, and February, as well as at the start of the new season when hives return to the apiary.

During winter, bee colonies inevitably lose part of their population — this is a normal biological process. Ideally, podmor accounts for 10–15%, and no more than 20%, of the total colony population. Such losses allow the colony to recover quickly in spring and begin full honey production.

Causes of bee mortality

Typically, older and/or weakened insects die first. If podmor exceeds 20% of the colony, it is important to determine the cause.

The most common reason is parasites, especially the Varroa destructor mite, which weakens bees and spreads pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

In some cases, mass mortality occurs due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), when worker bees abandon the hive, leaving behind the queen and brood.

Poor-quality feed or insufficient food supplies can also trigger large-scale losses. Rapeseed honey and sugar syrup crystallize quickly and may become unsuitable for feeding the colony.

Another major factor is improper wintering conditions. Excessive cold, high humidity, or mold inside the hive can cause disease and death among bees.

Health benefits of bee podmor

The healing properties of bee podmor have been known since ancient times. Ancient Greek healers used it to relieve toothaches, gum inflammation, boils, and even eye diseases.

In 18th-century English medical references, podmor-based remedies were described for arthritis, rheumatism, gout, intestinal colic, and stomach ulcers.

Bee podmor contains a wide range of valuable components:

• Trace minerals such as aluminum, silver, calcium, copper, chromium, gallium, potassium, vanadium, zinc, sodium, silicon, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, tin, strontium, titanium, zirconium, and others involved in metabolic processes;
• Bee venom (apitoxin) — a biologically active compound with antimicrobial and bactericidal properties;
• Chitosan — supports metabolism and energy production;
• Glucosamine — promotes healthy cartilage tissue;
• Melanin — a natural compound with antioxidant properties;

Bee podmor remedies and traditional recipes

Bee bodies are used in herbal medicine as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and general wellness remedies. Water and alcohol tinctures are prepared for therapeutic use.

A classic preparation involves steeping 2 teaspoons of powdered dried bees in 500 ml of water for 24 hours. The infusion is then strained and consumed in small doses for various health purposes.

Traditional usage examples prostate adenoma – 40 drops of decoction daily after breakfast for two months. 

Uterine fibroids – 1 tablespoon daily on an empty stomach for two months (repeat after a 30-day break for prevention).

Diabetes support – 7 drops once daily to help stabilize blood glucose levels.

Hypertension and cardiovascular conditions – 20 drops twice daily for 1–2 months, followed by a short break.

Only dry, mold-free bee podmor is suitable for apitherapy and herbal medicine. Damp or moldy material can be harmful and potentially toxic. Quality depends directly on proper wintering conditions and hive construction.

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Available models include: 10-frame PPU hive (300 mm), 10-frame PPU hive (145 mm), 10-frame PPU hive (230 mm). These hives provide optimal comfort for bees. They resist mold, do not deform when exposed to moisture, and offer excellent thermal insulation, helping maintain a stable microclimate inside the hive during winter.

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